Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Writes Letter To Senate President Akpabio On Imminent Return To Legislative Duties After Court Victory.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has formally written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, notifying him of her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, 15 July 2025, following a landmark ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, declared her six-month suspension unconstitutional, clearing the path for her return to the Nigerian Senate.
The suspension, imposed in March 2025, arose from a dispute with Senate President Akpabio over seating arrangements in the chamber, which escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused him of misconduct on national television. The Senate’s decision to suspend her for alleged gross misconduct drew sharp criticism from civil society groups and human rights organisations, who argued it was an attempt to silence her and disenfranchise her constituents. The court ruled that the suspension was “excessive, overreaching, and unconstitutional,” violating the rights of Kogi Central residents to representation.
In her letter dated 11 July 2025, submitted through her legal team, M.J Numa & Partners LLP, Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Senate to comply with the court’s judgement. The letter stated, “We respectfully demand that you give immediate effect to the clear and binding Order of the Federal High Court by taking all necessary steps to facilitate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption of her legislative duties forthwith.” The letter underscored the court’s finding that the suspension lacked constitutional backing.
Despite the court’s ruling on 4 July 2025, the Senate has yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement, prompting some delay. Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu indicated that the Red Chamber would review the CTC to determine its next steps, citing uncertainty over whether the court explicitly nullified the suspension. Nevertheless, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains steadfast, expressing gratitude to her supporters in a widely shared video and reaffirming her commitment to serve Kogi Central.
The court’s decision also addressed a separate matter, fining Akpoti-Uduaghan ₦5 million for contempt over a satirical Facebook post on 27 April 2025, which breached an earlier court injunction. The senator has since appealed this fine, arguing it was unrelated to her suspension case.
Further complicating matters, Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed from her chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs on 10 July 2025, a decision led by Akpabio. This followed her earlier removal from the Local Content Committee in February, leaving her without a committee leadership role upon her return. Critics have suggested these actions reflect ongoing tensions within the Senate.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s immediate reinstatement, describing her suspension as a “grave violation” of the Nigerian Constitution. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also commended the senator for seeking legal redress and praised Justice Nyako’s courage in delivering the ruling.
As Akpoti-Uduaghan prepares to return to the Red Chamber, her case has reignited debate about the Senate’s disciplinary powers and the balance between internal governance and constituents’ rights. Her resumption is expected to draw significant attention, with supporters hailing it as a triumph for democracy and representation.